Skier Buried In Crystal Mountain Avalanche Says Ski Patrol Saved His Life

A skier who was buried up to his head in an avalanche on Crystal Mountain credits his cell phone and the ski patrol for saving his life, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

The avalanche occurred at 4 p.m. on Sunday when Mark Callaghan was skiing a half-mile out of bounds where there is no avalanche patrol, the ski patrol director said.

The snow slide swept Callaghan to the base of some trees. He was buried up to his head and nearly immobilized by the weight of the snow.

With great effort, he was able to reach down and pull out his cell phone to call for help.

Within about 20 minutes, the ski patrol responded and found the barely visible Callaghan.

Due to high avalanche danger, the crew had to work carefully for three hours to dig out the trapped skier.

Callaghan, an experienced skier, was in stable condition and talking before he was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

After several days in the hospital , Calaghan issued a statement in which he credited the ski patrol for saving his life.

Read Entire Statement

Authorities said the man would have most likely died if he wouldn't have been able to call for help.